MIT and IBM Partner to Establish $240 Million AI Research Lab

The new lab aims to tackle some of AI's greatest challenges, including cybersecurity challenges. Image: Flickr.

IBM and the MIT on Thursday revealed a new partnership to carry out fundamental and breakthrough artificial intelligence (AI) research. IBM will invest $240 million over 10 years to establish the MIT-IBM Watson AI Lab — one of the largest long-term university-industry AI collaborations to date.

According to a university statement, the collaboration aims to:

Advance AI hardware, software and algorithms related to deep learning and other areas;

Increase AI’s impact on healthcare, cybersecurity and other industries; and

Investigate the economic and ethical implications of AI on society.

Both partners have been pioneers in artificial intelligence research; the university claims the term “AI” was popularized by MIT researchers. Meanwhile, IBM has explored AI applications across industries for more than 20 years.